A Guide to Recreation & Trails on Haida Gwaii Photo credits Berry Wijdeven • Lucy Stefanyk Brian Eccles • Rumi Kodama General information The following sites, trails and parks are within easy driving distance of any community on Haida Gwaii and are 2 wheel drive accessible unless otherwise noted. All distances noted are one way. All sites are user maintained unless otherwise noted. Please take all your garbage with you when you leave. Tips for safe hiking in bear country Bears feel threatened if surprised – hike in a group and make loud noises. Whistle, talk, sing or carry noise makers such as bells or a can containing stones. In dense brush and near running water, don’t depend on your noisemaker being heard. Use extra caution and watch for evidence of bears. Most bears will leave if they are aware of your presence. Stay in the open as much as possible. Keep children close at hand on trails. Be especially alert when travelling into the wind, a bear may not get your scent and be warned of your presence. When camping, keep a clean camp. Bears usually avoid people, but can be attracted to human food and garbage. Store all food and garbage properly. Cultural Features Many areas on Haida Gwaii contain culturally • modified trees. Please do not disturb these culturally significant features. Forest Fires Should you spot a forest fire phone • 1-800-663-5555. This is a free province wide, forest fire emergency phone number. Campground Reservations No campsite reservation service available. • 7 Yaaguun Gandlaay Heritage Site/Conservancy Golden Spruce Trail Access From Port Clements, follow Bayview Drive south towards Juskatla until you see the trailhead information shelter. Description Short trail approximately 20 minutes to walk. Note: the top of the famous fallen golden spruce can be viewed, but not reached from this trail as it is located on the opposite side of the Yakoun River. Easy Easy 1 Duu Guusd Heritage Site/Conservancy Rennell Sound Access Limited to high clearance vehicles. From Queen Charlotte take the Queen Charlotte Mainline 22 km to the Rennell Sound Road. From Port Clements, travel 48 km on the Queen Charlotte Mainline to the Rennell Sound Road. Travel 11 km to the bottom of the Rennell Sound hill. Follow the directional signs to the sites and trails located within 15 km of this junction. Description The Rennell Sound area offers exceptional wilderness camping and short trails for accessing remote west coast beaches. 1A Rennell Sound Campsite A rustic campground featuring spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding mountain vistas. 1B Five Mile Beach Trail A short trail that leads to a cobble beach overlooking 5-Mile Island. 1C Gregory Beach Trail A ten minute meander through shoreline forest to a cobble beach. An excellent beach combing location. 1D Bonanza Beach Trail The jewel of Rennell Sound offering an expansive sandy beach perfect for walk-in tenting and exploring. 1E Cone Head A cozy two site ocean hideaway featuring views of Conehead Mountain across Rennell Sound. Easy 2 Sleeping Beauty & Slatechuck Mountain Trails Access Limited to high clearance vehicles. From Queen Charlotte take the Honna Mainline and follow the road markers for 10 km to the Slatechuck Trail access road. Carry on 1 km to the Sleeping Beauty Trail head. Description A pair of difficult trails that climb steeply to the alpine areas of Mt. Genevieve (729 m) and Slatechuck Peak (1009 m). Enjoy the alpine ecosystems and wide views in all directions. Difficult 4 Haydn Turner Community Campsite Access In the Village of Queen Charlotte, follow Oceanview Drive to western end point Description Set up your RV in one of the wooded sites or pitch a tent next to the beach and enjoy the view across Bearskin Bay and Lina Island. Easy 8 Damaxyaa Heritage Site/Conservancy Dover Creek Trail Access Located between Sandspit and the Alliford Bay ferry, look for the Haans Creek bridge and trailhead signage. Description This loop trail follows Haans Creek and then winds through a beautiful forest of large cedar and spruce trees. Approximately 2 hours to complete. Moderate 10 Kunxalas Heritage Site/Conservancy 10A Sheldens Bay Day Use Area Access Limited to high clearance vehicles or better. Located 22 km from Sandspit via the Copper Bay Mainline. Follow signage. Description Popular location for enjoying Sheldens Lagoon and exploring the beach. 10B Gray Bay Campsite & Secret Cove Trail Access Limited to high clearance vehicles. Located 22 km from Sandspit via the Copper Bay Mainline. Follow signage. Description Campsite and day use area bordering the expansive shoreline of Gray Bay. Excellent location for families looking to enjoy beach walking and exploring. Secret Cove trailhead is located at the campsite entrance – watch for signage. The trail is 1 km to the beach. Easy Easy 3 Spirit Lake Trail Access Find the trail head in the Village of Skidegate on Hwy 16, across from the George Brown Community Centre. Description The Spirit Lake Trail is an excellent family hike offering forest hiking and lakeside picnic areas. Complimentary guided interpretive walks are offered June – August by Gwaii Haanas staff. Check the Gwaii Haanas website or call the office for specific days and times the tours are offered. Easy to Moderate 6 Sunset Park & Trail Access From Port Clements, follow Bayview Drive south towards Juskatla. Description Situated along the Yakoun river estuary, Sunset Park offers campsites with electrical hook ups and covered picnic shelter. There is also a bird watching tower for visitors to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the estuary. Best location on Graham Island to enjoy sunsets. Easy 9 Onward Point Trail Access Located on Alliford Bay Rd. Travel 6 km from the Alliford Bay Ferry Terminal or 7 km from Sandspit. Description A scenic 15 minute hike through shoreline forest leading to a covered lookout over Skidegate Inlet. Watch for whales between April and June. Easy Yakoun Lake to Rennell Sound 1:100,000 For more information regarding recreational opportunities on Haida Gwaii, contact: Smithers Haida Gwaii British Columbia Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre 250-559-8316 • www.qcinfo.ca Recreation Sites & Trails BC 250-559-6200 • www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca BC Parks 250-557-4390 • www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site 250-559-8818 www.pc.gc.ca/gwaiihaanas OR www.pc.gc.ca/gwaiihaanasmarine www.bvprinters.com www.SparkDesignCo.com Produced in northern BC 5 Kagan Bay Day Use Area & CampRecreation Site Access From Queen Charlotte, take the Honna Mainline for 2.2 km to the Day Use area and a further 1.1 km to the recreation site. Description Have a picnic in the day use area overlooking the Honna Estuary, Bearskin Bay and Lina Island or set up camp in one of the beachside campsites overlooking Kagan Bay. Easy Safety Tips Never hike alone. • Before leaving on a hike, let a responsible • individual know where you are going and when you will be returning. Always contact that individual when you return. Some trails are not clearly marked. Be • prepared and take a map, compass, food, emergency gear and a GPS Unit. Assume you will be staying overnight • Shoreline hikes may be limited by tides. • Consult tide tables before heading out. Avoid hiking during strong winds. • In case of emergency contact the R.C.M.P. • Queen Charlotte Detachment: 250-559-4421 or Masset Detachment: 250-626-3991. In case of medical emergencies contact BC • Ambulance: 1-800-461-9911. Resource Road Safety Many sites and trails are accessed by active • industrial resource roads. Follow all posted signs and yield right of way to industrial traffic. Contact the Ministry of Natural Resource Operations at 250-559-6200 or the Queen Charlotte Visitor Information Centre 250-559-8316 for more information. Road conditions can • be variable and access closed or limited due to weather especially during winter months.